Can You ‘Cheat’ Your Veggies With a Chip?

A vegetable chip may be a better chip, but it can never be a vegetable.

Consumer Reports recently looked at the growing array of veggie chips on the market and concluded that most of them are not any better for you than a potato chip.

“…despite the parsnips, sweet potatoes, and taro pictured on packages of ­veggie chips—and boasts of a “full serving of vegetables in every ounce” in a couple of products—these aren’t crudités. They’re still fried and have plenty of fat and calories.”

Sure, some of these chips taste great (the Consumer Reports article rates the best-tasting ones) and you might find some fiber — or a little less sodium — compared to potato chips. But averaging 140-160 calories per 1-ounce serving, and 7-10 grams of fat, these veggie chips are no nutritional bargain. A little bean powder, potato starch and ground-up veggies (even kale!) doesn’t make them the equivalent of a real vegetable.

The Snikiddy Eat Your Vegetables brand seems to be coming on strong lately. Yet, I’m offended by their new commercial. I don’t find it funny, and it sends the wrong message that these chips can help you “cheat” your vegetables. Nope, it doesn’t work like that.

If you want some chips for a snack. Do it. Enjoy them. Single-serve, pre-portioned bags can help with moderation. And while some of these vegetable chips may be a bit more nutritious than regular potato chips, they’re not vegetables. Don’t check off a serving of vegetables when you finish off a bag.

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Great point. Indulge if you want, but don’t pretend it is a subsitute for veggies. Although I am fan of adding stealth veggies to recipes to up the daily count. For example you can use cauliflower to replace cream in most “creamy soups” without losing flavor.